Graduate school

See also

Research at the Department for Continuing Education

The Department has an active interdisciplinary research community, particularly with respect to public engagement and practitioner-based initiatives which build on the research interests of our academic staff and over 80 research students.

The Holy Roman Empire, 800 AD to 1806: The Thousand Year Reich

Overview

This course will explore the origins, growth and significance of the Empire and the ways in which its various legacies are, perhaps, still relevant to the future of Europe. The Holy Roman Empire began as an attempt to restore the Roman Empire in western Europe as a Christian, a Holy, Roman Empire. A vision of the unity between sacred and secular remained at the heart of the Empire’s understanding of itself until its dissolution. We will consider the unique constitutional structures of the Empire which enabled it to weather such crises as the Reformation, the Thirty Years War and the threat posed by Louis XIV and the Ottoman Turks, as well as the Empire’s cultural and artistic legacy. The Empire’s passing has left a legacy which may still be relevant to the future of Europe.

Programme details

Session 1

The legacy of Rome

Session 2

The Holy Roman Empire before 1500

Session 3

Reformation and accommodation: the Holy Roman Empire in the sixteenth century

Session 4

The Hanseatic league: trade in northern Europe

Session 5

The Thirty Year's War

Session 6

War on two fronts: the Empire confronts Louis XIV and the Ottoman Turks

Course aims

This course aims to provide a broad narrative of the history and significance of the Holy Roman Empire.

Course Objectives:

To introduce students to the origins and structure of the Holy Roman Empire

To explore why the Empire was so durable!

To discuss why the Empire and its history have been relatively neglected in modern European historiography.

Teaching methods

All summer school courses are taught through group seminars and individual tutorials. Students also conduct private study when not in class and there is a well stocked library at OUDCE to support individual research needs.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to have:

An overview of the origins and structure of the Empire.

Some understanding of the principle events which affected the Empire – the Reformation, the Thirty Years War, the French Revolution etc

Acquired an understanding of the demise of the Empire and its possible continued significance.

Assessment methods

Students are assessed during the summer school by either a 1500 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment. There is also a pre-course assignment of 1000 words set. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing a student's ideas and therefore its completion is mandatory.